Last year, during the Simbang Gabi celebrations – a Filipino devotion that occurs each year during Advent – the Filipino communities at different Charlottesville parishes got to meet for the first time.
“New immigrants, first generation Americans, and their children have longed to connect with their heritage,” said Marianne Diño Kish, a parishioner at Church of the Incarnation, Charlottesville. “It has been a dream of many in the community to have a Filipino language Mass. We had not really gathered as a community until December, and that seed was planted.”
On Aug. 25, that dream came true. Parochial vicar Father Joseph Christian Indadaño, who was assigned to the parish in July, was ordained in the Diocese of Kalibo, in the Philippines, before being transferred to our diocese. Shortly after his arrival, Father Indadaño suggested that the community hold a bilingual Mass in English and Tagalog, which is widely spoken in the Philippines.
Approximately 150 Filipino Catholics from several Charlottesville parishes attended the first Mass Aug. 25, which was followed by food and fellowship in the parish hall. Participants shared traditional food like lumpia, pancit, adobo, and cassava cake, and there was a large map of the Philippines so that everyone could put a pushpin on their hometown.
“It was a really amazing thing to gather together, to make friendships,” said Kish. “For the next one, people are already talking about what food they want to bring.”
Moving forward, the bilingual Filipino-English Mass will be offered at Church of the Incarnation on the fourth Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m.
“One of the benefits of a monthly Mass is that it’s something to look forward to and plan towards,” said Kish.
“There were some folks who weren’t able to come in August, and they’ve already mentioned they’re coming in September,” she added. “It brings out people’s parents, aunties, grandparents. Filipinos who have been at these parishes that have never been engaged before are wanting to come and join us.”